Bookholder



J. 'W. GEARHART Nov. 20, 1928.

BOOK HOLDER Filed Sept. 12, 1927 INVENTOR' L-l- LU. EEFIRHHRT Patented Nov. 20, 1928.

UNITED STATES.

I 1,592,727 PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES W. GEARHART, OF FRESNO, CALIFORNIA.

BOOKHOLDER.

Application filed September 12, 1927. Serial No. 219,067.

This invention relates to improvements in book holders and has particular reference to a holder for retaining a copy book such as a stenographers note book or other books from which notes may be read or copied.

The principal object of this invention is to produce a book holder which will hold a note book such as described in my co-pending application Serial Number 201,234 wherein the pages of the note book will lie flat so as to be readily visible. 7

A further object is to produce a device which is neat in appearance and therefore one which will not detract from the appearance of the average desk.

A further object is to produce a holder which is economical to manufacture.

A still further object is to produce a device which is compact and one which when folded will occupy a minimum amount of space.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is a front elevation of my improved book holder,

Figure 2 is a side elevation ofFigure 1 and showing on the dotted lines the position the book Would assume in the holder, and

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary detail. View showing the manner of locking the holder in open position.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of the locking member of the brace.

Applicant is aware of the fact that many forms of book holders have been devised. These book holders, however in most instances and as far as applicant is aware of have necessitated the placing of the finished pages beneath a band or other retaining element for the purpose of holding the pages against their natural tendency to close or in other words obscure the matter being read.

In the accompanying drawings wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the. numeral 5 designates the base of a substantially U-shaped book engaging member having a back 6 and a front 7. Secured to the base 5 is a downwardly extending brace 10 preferably made of wire and having an eye 8 adapted to receive a rubber shoe 9 which will contact the surface of the desk or other supporting object. This brace 10 is secured to the base 5 as by nuts 11 and 12 and by viewing Figure 2 it will be noted that the nuts 12 are undercut, the purpose of which will be later seen.

The front 7 is bent upon itself as shown at 13 so as to be engaged between inturned ends 14 and 16 of a support preferably formed of wire and bearing the number 17. This support has its lower extremity bent so as to form feet upon which rubber shoes 18 and 19 are positioned. A connecting band 21 extends between the two legs of the brace 17 and serves to pivotally support a locking member 22 which is provided with a T head 23 and passes through a slot 24 formed in thefront' 7. This T head is adapted to extend beneath the undercut portion of the nuts 12 as indicated in Figure 3. When in this position the locking member is held against vertical movement with relation to the slot 24 and therefore maintains the brace 17 in extended position with relation to the member 10.

In inserting a book in my device the back 6 which is bent slightly toward the front 7 is spread apart with the fingers and the back of the book inserted between the front and the back pieces, where it is securely held during use.

It will thus be seen that I have produced a device which will perform all of the objects above set forth.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same andthat various changes relative to the material, size, shape and. arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim 1. A book holder comprising a substantially Ushaped member, a brace extending from the base of said U-shaped member, a support pivotally secured to one of the sides of said U-shaped member and a locking device interposed between said brace and U-shaped member.

2. Ina book holder, a substantially U- shaped member having a base, a front portion and a rear portion, a brace secured to said base portion, a support pivotally secured to said front portion, a connecting band secured to said support, a locking member pivoted to said band, said locking member having a T-. shaped head extending through a slot formed end :1v rear portion, a brace secured to said 21.12 portion, :1 support pivotaily secured to mid front portion a connecting band secured to sa d support, a iocklng member pivoted to said band, said locking member having a T- shzipedliead extending through a slot formed in said front portion, and means for retainl0 ing said T-shaped head in engagement with the base of said U-shaped member for the purpose specified. V

.In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

JAMES WV. GEARHART. 

